• 
• 

Published on August 1, 2007

When it comes to selecting a system, always bring your favourite music CDs along to distinguish what is right or not right for you. Start off by playing some easy-listening pop and jazz. Then try modern or fusion jazz, as this type of music is helpful in determining how natural and lifelike the low, mid and high frequencies are.

These kinds of music help you learn the definition of natural deep bass, mid-range and high frequency as in live music. These frequencies also help in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of your speaker system. For instance, good loudspeakers should achieve smooth tonal balance at each and every frequency, and indeed reproduce low frequency.

Classical music, where the full orchestra is playing, is considered the most challenging lesson for a good loudspeaker system, given the wide range of instruments involved. In this respect, you will be exposed to stereo, soundstage, ambience and impact - all at once. Classical music also helps indicate the performance of your speaker system.

One of the great classical albums is "Master of Classical Music Vol 2", especially the track "Violin Romance" by Beethoven. A good speaker system should be capable of offering the full range of the violins, making the music lifelike. Specifically, it should pinpoint the exact image of the lead violin and locate the actual player.

You should also be able to tell the artistic character of the music by listening carefully to the image and soundstage that embrace you. Where the performers seem to be situated in three-dimensional space is an essential element for a fine loudspeaker set.

A good speaker system must reproduce sound that is a flat on-and-off-axis response so as to assure linear movement, and control the frequency and distortion characteristics. This means that the tweeter and woofer should be seamlessly blended to produce smooth sound coloration. The sound reproduction from the speakers should be a more uniform, energy-efficient response when there is a good relationship between the crossover network and the drivers. Ideally, it has to perform as though there is no crossover network.

Combinations of crossover network, drivers and all other loudspeaker elements are crucial to getting good sound reproduction.

Generally, a car loudspeaker system possesses a higher tendency towards audio distortion than a home-use system when it comes to peak and strong signals in some musical styles.

Mid-range is in fact the first area of audio distortion that will adversely transmit coloration and distortion. Therefore a good system should be able to carry those signals with minimal distortion - and that's the type of speaker system you should be looking for.

Ultimate in Luxury

The Luxury LS 460 is a wonderfully comfaortable car fitted with all mod cons, althoough not necessarily the most fun vehicle to drive.